This is not your typical Date Walnut Bread, this is Paleo Date Walnut Bread. This bread is purely fruit sweetened, and has no honey, maple syrup, agave or other processed sweeteners. Because of this, the bread is not as sweet, or dessert-like as other breads of mine such as Cranberry Walnut Bread.

During the last year, I’ve worked on lowering the amount of sweeteners in my recipes, and this bread is a prime example of that.

This gluten-free, grain-free bread is heavier and more bread-like than my dessert breads which are light, fluffy, and cake-like. It’s perfect for breakfast with a shmear of coconut oil.

According to Wikipedia, curry is a generic term used in Western culture that refers to a wide variety of dishes whose origins are from India and other East Asian countries. In traditional cuisines, the precise spice blend of a curry can be determined by everything from regional preferences to family customs. The spices in curries can be both whole and ground.

Wikipedia also states that curry powder, a commercially prepared mixture of spices, is a Western concoction, dating back to the 18th century. During my Ayurvedic training in the 1990′s we were taught to prepare our own curries for the health and taste benefits. Spices that are purchased pre-ground lose their nutrients (and flavor) quickly, while freshly ground spices retain their nutritional benefit. This is what makes homemade curry blends so special.

While I enjoy preparing a variety of curries, I think this one goes best with almonds. This quick and easy snack is great for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, or some protein on the run. The following outlines the benefits of the various spices in the curry below:

Tumeric: Derived from an orange root that looks similar to ginger root, tumeric is a potent, yet safe anti-inflammatory. It can be used in the treatment of IBD, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and can also be used in the prevention of cancer. Tumeric is also thought to lower cholesterol, and provide protection to the cardiovascular system, and also aids in liver function.

Coriander: This spice is useful in controlling of blood sugar, as well as cholesterol. Further, coriander contains an antibacterial compound that may prove to be a wonderfully natural means of fighting salmonella and other bacteria.

Cumin: Useful in the production of iron, as well as effective in boosting immune function, cumin is also known to be of great benefit to the digestive system. This spice may also protect against certain types of cancer.

Our holiday is Passover, and accordingly, I have a list of Paleo Passover recipes. However, since many of our friends celebrate Easter, I have put together a list of Paleo Easter dessert recipes. Of course, you may wish to be a super duper caveman and simply dine on ham and veggies for your Easter celebration. If that’s your preference, then just navigate away from this post right now.

For those of you looking for something sweet and celebratory, here is a list of healthier dessert recipes. I like to use healthy, Paleo ingredients to make modern, comfort foods and desserts. While many a caveman will shun this, there are plenty of others that embrace a healthier treat. Enjoy!

…continue reading Paleo Easter Desserts

This recipe for Paleo Breakfast Bars is an amended version of a recipe I posted in 2009. I have rewritten this recipe for several reasons.

First, although a number of people swore by it, others commented that the bars came out crumbly for them. Second, the original recipe was not Paleo as it contained grapeseed oil and agave (for more information on which foods are Paleo go to this list from balancedbites.com, or this list from fitbomb.com).

In any event, this simple gluten-free homemade breakfast bar recipe is a favorite in our house as it is easy to pack for a hike and delicious enough to serve as a healthy dessert after lunch or dinner. I also serve it to the boys as a Paleo after school snack –their friends love it and eat a whole dish at a time, however they refer to these as granola bars or power bars.